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Dáil Éireann - Volume 315 - 20 June, 1979 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Neglect of Children Prosecutions. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating 14. Mr. Keating asked the Minister for Health the number of prosecutions of parents for neglect of children for the past five years. Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: The total number of prosecutions of parents for neglect of children initiated by health boards during the past five years is five. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating 664 Mr. Keating: Does the Minister consider that the figure five would indicate that the health boards are doing their job in this regard? While I do not propose that increased prosecutions of parents would be the total answer to the problems of neglected children, is the Minister satisfied with the situation in [664] regard to the general neglect of children which is too widely visible at present? Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: I am not satisfied with the general situation but, as the Deputy knows, we are making very strenuous efforts to improve it. The number of prosecutions would not be an indication of whether or not the health boards are doing their duty. The health boards only take a prosecution as a last resort and seek instead to place a child in suitable conditions. Mr. Keating Mr. Keating Mr. Keating: Does the Minister see any improvement in the near future in the general position of neglected children and other issues relevant to this? Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: We are working on it actively at present. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: The Minister made reference to the strenuous efforts being made, but can he give an outline to the House of what they are and when they might come to fruition? Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: At present we are concentrating on the itinerant begging children in Dublin. We will get that situation under control. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: How? An Ceann Comhairle Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle: We cannot have a detailed discussion. Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: The educational centre in Strand Street is now operative and we are going to improve that. We are also going to provide a small overnight accommodation unit for these children. I assure the Deputy we regard it as a real and urgent problem. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: Can the Minister give any indication of when we will have the long promised Children's Bill? Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey 665 Mr. Haughey: We are making every effort to get the work of the task force expedited. We are hoping to have a report fairly soon. I have already given an undertaking that legislation will be introduced this year. It is a little optimistic to hope that it will be enacted but it [665] would be my strong wish that it would at least be introduced this year. Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe Mr. O'Keeffe: Does the date of July still stand for the final report? Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: I hope so. We have given the task force additional staff to help them. Dáil Éireann 315 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Neglect of Children Prosecutions. Questions 19790620
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